NEWS

Monetary Policy should Prioritize Investment in Productive Sector: MPs

Jul 21, 2023 0 2 minutes 26 seconds to read

July 21: Lawmakers have suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to bring a monetary policy for the fiscal year 2023/24 that encourages increasing investment in the productive…

SC Seeks Written Response from Government on Constituency Development Fund

Jul 21, 2023 0 1 minutes 16 seconds to read

July 21: The Supreme Court has sought a written response from the government on its financial arrangement for the constituency development…

Nepal-China sign MoU on Development and Exchange of Agricultural Technology, Skills

Jul 21, 2023 0 1 minutes 25 seconds to read

July 21: The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday on technology development and exchange of skills in the field of…

Probe Committee to Investigate Gold Smuggling Incident at TIA

Jul 21, 2023 0 1 minutes 51 seconds to read

July 21: The Department of Customs has formed a probe committee to investigate into the incident related to the smuggling in of around one quintal gold from TIA without…

Mandatory Labeling Provision for Import Items Courts Controversy

Jul 21, 2023 0 5 minutes 2 seconds to read

July 20: Even though the government has made it mandatory for labeling imported goods with clear details of the importer and distributor since July…

Finance Ministry Issues 81-point Guideline for Budget Implementation

Jul 21, 2023 0 2 minutes 25 seconds to read

The Finance Ministry has issued an 81-point guideline for the effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2080/081 BS. The guidelines focus on maximizing resource utilization, being economical on expenses, and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Fiscal discipline is also…

Only 11 Out of 17 Development Banks Earn Profit in FY 2022/2023

Jul 20, 2023 0 1 minutes 9 seconds to read

During the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2022/2023, out of the 17 development banks operating in Nepal, only 11 of them were able to generate profits, while the remaining 6 banks faced…

NRB to Issue Monetary Policy Next Week: Central Bank Governor Adhikari

Jul 20, 2023 0 3 minutes 2 seconds to read

The Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari today said the Monetary Policy for Fiscal Year, 2023/24 will be issued in line with the budget…

E-Procurement System Directive 2080 Poses Existential Crisis to Communications and Media Industry

Jul 20, 2023 0 5 minutes 37 seconds to read

July 20: The 'Electricity Procurement System Directive 2080' issued by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office poses existential crisis to the country's communication and media…

Industries Registered with FDI Increase in Volume but Decline in Terms of Commitment Amount

Jul 20, 2023 0 4 minutes 32 seconds to read

July 20: Foreign investment commitments: Number of industry registrations increased, commitment amount…

DRI Busts Gold Smuggling Group, Arrests Six People

Jul 20, 2023 0 1 minutes 28 seconds to read

July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has busted a group of smugglers involved in a recent gold smuggling case.…

Problems Faced by Underdeveloped Countries Raised in G-20 FMCBG Meeting: FM Mahat

Jul 20, 2023 0 3 minutes 26 seconds to read

July 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has returned home after attending the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors meeting held in Gujarat,…

Kakarvitta Transit Point Sees Encouraging Export of Cash Crops in Last FY

Jul 20, 2023 0 2 minutes 12 seconds to read

July 20: Export of cash crops such as cardamom, tea leaves, ginger and amriso (broom grass) via the eastern transit point of Kakarvitta increased significantly in the last fiscal year (FY…

Government to Waive Fee for Company Registration and Capital Increment

Jul 20, 2023 0 1 minutes 22 seconds to read

July 20: The government is preparing to waive the fee for company registration and capital increment.…

Huge Quantity of Gold Seized from TIA

Jul 20, 2023 0 59 seconds to read

July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has seized a huge quantity of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport that had passed undetected through the customs on Wednesday…

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NEPSE

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			'id' => '18526',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Monetary Policy should Prioritize Investment in Productive Sector: MPs   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: Lawmakers have suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to bring a monetary policy for the fiscal year 2023/24 that encourages increasing investment in the productive sector.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: Lawmakers have suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to bring a monetary policy for the fiscal year 2023/24 that encourages increasing investment in the productive sector. They also stressed on creating more jobs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Members of Parliament made such remarks at a meeting of the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Thursday. The MPs argued that the monetary policy should focus on creating domestic production to make a robust national economy. Most of the committee members said that the new monetary policy should prioritize the agriculture sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the occasion, Former Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel asked the NRB to ponder on applying best policies that create more jobs and ensure increased productivity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Poudel was of the view that a moderate monetary policy was needed instead of a tough or a flexible policy. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The current situation is the result of the past. So it is necessary to review the policies of the past,&quot; he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, lawmaker Dr Swornim Wagle said that there wasn&rsquo;t any balance between the economic growth rate and loan investment. He added that the banks and financial institutions made their loan investment more on unproductive sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Dr Wagle stated that loan in the productive sector should be increased by tightening loans on real estate sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Lawmaker Gyan Bahadur Shahi claimed that the BFIs were making unfair benefits by investing loans on high interest rate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, lawmaker Bhagwati Chaudhary said that the small and medium-sized enterprises should get loan in an accessible manner and the micro-finance institutions should be regulated.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, Governor of NRB Maha Prasad Adhikari said that the new monetary policy would focus on achieving economic growth rate set by the government, inflation control and management of external sector in the economy. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18525',
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			'title' => 'SC Seeks Written Response from Government on Constituency Development Fund   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: The Supreme Court has sought a written response from the government on its financial arrangement for the constituency development fund.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Supreme Court has sought a written response from the government on its financial arrangement for the constituency development fund.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A single bench of Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal issued a show cause notice to the government after conducting a preliminary hearing on a writ petition on Thursday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, Office of the Prime Minister, and Finance Ministry, among others have been demanded written response on why Rs 50 million was allocated to the constituency development fund through the recent budget.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the budget speech (point no 445) announced on May 29, the government included the controversial provision of allocating Rs 50 million to a constituency. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A writ petition was filed against this arrangement, arguing that it was a wrong trend to distribute money to lawmakers at a time when the country was facing economic crisis. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18524',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal-China sign MoU on Development and Exchange of Agricultural Technology, Skills   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday on technology development and exchange of skills in the field of agriculture.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday on technology development and exchange of skills in the field of agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Executive Director of NARC Dr Dhurba Raj Bhattarai and Vice-Chairman of SAAS Dr Leo Younghang signed the MoU on technology transfer and skills exchange.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It is said that the two institutions would cooperate on technology transfer and developed in the field of agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Sharing the information about the MoU, NARC Executive Director Dr Bhattarai said that agreement has been made to collaborate on increasing quality productions as well as agriculture development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, SAAS Vice-Chairman has pledged to provide training to Nepali researchers and technicians on high-quality agricultural technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Such training would be given to Nepali researchers on maize and sweet yam production in the near future.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A team of SAAS Vice-Chairman is currently on three-day Nepal visit. -- RSS </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18523',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Probe Committee to Investigate Gold Smuggling Incident at TIA   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: The Department of Customs has formed a probe committee to investigate into the incident related to the smuggling in of around one quintal gold from TIA without checking.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Department of Customs has formed a probe committee to investigate into the incident related to the smuggling in of around one quintal gold from TIA without checking.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A six-member probe committee was formed under coordination of Man Bahadur Poudel, the director at the Investigation Section of the Department of Customs.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Information Officer of the department Punya Bikram Khadka, the investigation committee has been directed to submit its report within five days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the department, Shova Kanta Poudel, formed the probe committee on Friday to look into the incident of how around one quintal gold was cleared from the customs undetected.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Information Officer Khadka said, &quot;The probe committee has been formed as such situation can sometimes arise due to technical error even when the department&rsquo;s staff carry out necessary checking.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Department of Revenue Investigation had seized around 100 kilogrammes of gold from Sinamangal on Wednesday on a special tip-off. A total of six persons have been arrested in this connection so far.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the Department of Revenue Investigation, Nawaraj Dhungana, said the seized yellow metal has been sent to Nepal Rastra Bank through the Department of Customs for its safe-keeping.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">---&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18522',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Mandatory Labeling Provision for Import Items Courts Controversy',
			'sub_title' => 'Import of Medicines Halted due to the New Provision of Labeling',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Even though the government has made it mandatory for labeling imported goods with clear details of the importer and distributor since July 17,',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Even though the government has made it mandatory for labeling imported goods with clear details of the importer and distributor since July </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">7, the importers complain that the authorities are indifferent towards solving the unreasonable difficulties caused by this new provision. Import of medicine has been stopped for three days due to conflicting legal arrangements of government agencies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Prakash Khandelwal, senior vice president of Nepal Drug Practitioners Association, the importers have stopped the importing drugs after the Department of Customs instructed them to label only the label, but the Drug Administration Department said that no details can be mentioned on the packaging of the drugs without approval.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As a result, the importers has not yet received the medicines that have arrived at the border. Senior Vice President Khandelwal also warned that if the problem is not resolved soon, there may be shortage of medicines. Even now, about </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> percent of medicine supplies depend on imports, say businessmen.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The customs clearance of drugs has not been possible since July </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The customs officials cite one rule while the DDA says no content can be added to the packaging. In such a situation, there is no option but to stop the import,&#39;&#39; said Khandelwal, who is also a medicine importer.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief Customs Administrator of Birganj Customs, Dilaram Panthi, admitted that the businessmen were confused due to the contradictions in the rules between the government agencies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;There is no need to put a label when passing the customs inspection. The label should be kept at the time of distribution. There is no obstacle in clearing the customs check. The businessmen must have been talking about the difficulties caused by the rules of the drug administration department,&rdquo; said Customs Administrator Panthi.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government, through the Finance Bill </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">2080</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">, has made arrangement for labeling the imported goods before sending them to the market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The labels should include the details of the importer and the distributor. The Department of Customs has said that if goods are found to be sold without labels, such goods will be confiscated. The department had sent information about this to the importers last month.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The importers complain that the government implemented this system in a very short time. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;We had informed all agencies concerned about the problems that may arise in the import of medicines due to this system. Instead of a solution, they issued us a warning that they would confiscate the medicines. How can medicines be imported in such a situation?&rdquo; questioned Khandelwal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government claims that the labeling system will be effective in controlling the import of low-quality goods and preventing illegal imports. However, Hari Gautam, senior vice president of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that this arrangement could be just another pretext of collecting unauthorized money by extorting the businessmen.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'The Finance Ministry has issued an 81-point guideline for the effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2080/081 BS. The guidelines focus on maximizing resource utilization, being economical on expenses, and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Fiscal discipline is also emphasized.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 21: The Finance Ministry has issued an 81-point guideline for the effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2080/081 BS.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The guidelines focus on maximizing resource utilization, being economical on expenses, and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Fiscal discipline is also emphasized.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government institutions are directed to complete preparatory jobs for the implementation of annual plans and programs. T</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">hey must formulate new procedures, directives, and standards within a month if they were to seek an approval from the Ministry. Approved procedures should be updated on the agencies&#39; websites within a week.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tenders should be called within the first three months of the fiscal year, and the contract agreement should be completed by mid-November, with work commencing within 15 days.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects failing to carry out the contract agreement within nine months after resource assurance may face automatic scrapping.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects that haven&#39;t gone into bidding after nine months of the agreement and haven&#39;t been proposed for appropriations in the current fiscal year budget may also have their source agreements scrapped.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The implementation of certain programs is recommended to be carried out by thematic committees, and &#39;reward&#39; and &#39;punishment&#39; culture in the construction business is encouraged.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects worth over Rs 100 million are recommended for undergoing construction quality tests by the National Vigilance Centre.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Payments are suggested to be made based on physical progress and project quality. Certain conditions are set for quarterly budget releases.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Environment impact assessment and preliminary environment tests should be carried out within fixed timeframes to facilitate project implementation.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Multi-year contracted projects should be implemented from the allocated budget itself.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Organization and management surveys should be conducted before mid-December to improve the existing organization of public administration.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Budget implementers are asked to maintain utmost frugality in administrative expenses, including allowance, training, seminar, service fee, visit, stationery, maintenance, fuel, electricity tariff, and rent. (RSS)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2023-07-21',
			'modified' => '2023-07-21',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '18251',
			'image' => '20230721055703_collage (10).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-21 05:54:16',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18520',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Only 11 Out of 17 Development Banks Earn Profit in FY 2022/2023',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'During the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2022/2023, out of the 17 development banks operating in Nepal, only 11 of them were able to generate profits, while the remaining 6 banks faced losses.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 20: During the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2022/2023, out of the 17 development banks operating in Nepal, only 11 of them were able to generate profits, while the remaining 6 banks faced losses.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to data released by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the 11 profitable development banks collectively earned a total profit of Rs 5.10 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Muktinath Development Bank emerged as the top performer, making profit of Rs 1.9 billion within the 11-month period. Similarly, Garima Development Bank also performed well, earning a net profit of Rs 82 crores.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the other hand, Green Development Bank witnessed the lowest profit of Rs 4.9 million during the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In contrast, Karnali Development Bank, Sindhu Bikash Bank, Narayani Development Bank, Excel Development Bank, and Saptakoshi Development Bank faced losses during the same period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Among these, Saptakoshi Development Bank incurred the highest loss, exceeding Rs 28 crores.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2023-07-20',
			'modified' => '2023-07-20',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '18250',
			'image' => '20230720055606_collage (16).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 17:54:09',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18519',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NRB to Issue Monetary Policy Next Week: Central Bank Governor Adhikari',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'The Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari today said the Monetary Policy for Fiscal Year, 2023/24 will be issued in line with the budget policy.',
			'content' => '<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 20: The Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari today said the Monetary Policy for Fiscal Year, 2023/24 will&nbsp;be issued in line with the budget policy.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Preparations are underway to bring the monetary policy the next week, he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary policy would focus on achieving the economic growth as per the budget target, controlling inflation and managing external sector, he said while attending the meeting of the Finance Committee under the Federal Parliament&#39;s House of Representatives. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although there are some positive economic indicators like the balanced external sector, decreasing interest rates and adequacy of liquidity, some problems like inflation, deficit reserve fund and sluggish credit expansion still persist, he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;The permissible limit of inflation for the previous FY was seven percent, and it remains above that this FY. The reserve fund is in deficit of Rs 193 billion. The credit expansion has decreased despite good deposit collection,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The external sector seems easing&nbsp;as compared to the previous year, he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Now, there is liquidity worth Rs 88.5 billion in the banking system. The current accounts suffer a deficit of Rs 70 billion, and there were difficulties to recover loans due to the market slowdown,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Until June 15, 2023, the total 147,510 people took concessional loans, he said. The Central Bank would take an appropriate decision in finding ways to balance the country&#39;s economy, he added. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Today&#39;s problems are a slowdown in real estate, and failure to collect revenues and achieve capital expenditure as per target&quot;.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary policy does not have all instruments to resolve problems. We will use whatever instruments we have,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, the interest and base rates of loans and deposits are decreasing, and the CD ratio has dropped to 82 percent. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government has set a target of keeping inflation within the permissible limit of 6.50 percent in the current FY, and the monetary instruments would be mobilised accordingly, it said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Finance Secretary Arjun Kumar Pokharel viewed that there should be synchronization between the fiscal policy and monetary policy.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Similarly, achieving the economic growth and keeping inflation under control should be the first priority of the monetary policy, Pokharel said.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He added that monetray policy should also&nbsp; accord priorities in implementing the government&#39;s policies and programmes by&nbsp;increasing loans in the productive sector and domestic productions, Pokhrael said. ---(RSS)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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			'description' => '',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18516',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'E-Procurement System Directive 2080 Poses Existential Crisis to Communications and Media Industry',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The 'Electricity Procurement System Directive 2080' issued by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office poses existential crisis to the country's communication and media industry.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The &#39;Electricity Procurement System Directive </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">2080</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&#39; issued by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office poses existential crisis to the country&#39;s communication and media industry.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The stakeholders have requested the government to amend the provisions in the new directive that allows publishing information related to public procurement only on the website of the government body concerned.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal Media Society, Media Alliance Nepal and Nepal Advertising Association issued a joint statement on Wednesday and expressed their objection to the provisions in the directive.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement signed by Nepal Media Society President Shuba Shankar Kandel, Media Alliance Nepal President Bhashkar Raj Rajakarnikar and Nepal Advertising Association President Som Prasad Dhital states that the new directive is against the information rights of the citizens and consumers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">When the information system is weak and there is no access to e-mail and internet across the country, an attempt has been made to create a syndicate between the bureaucracy and the contractor by keeping public procurement notices only on the website of the Public Procurement Monitoring Office Kathmandu and imposing a ban on the practice of publishing them in national-level daily newspapers in accordance with the prevailing law,&quot; the statement said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement accused the government of undermining the democratic values by not discussing such vital issues with the relevant parties while amending the existing laws in order to support the vested interests of certain firms and individuals.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;How can ordinary citizens living in seven provinces of Nepal have access to information and information related to public construction and procurement, letters of intent, bids, tenders that are directly related to the people by keeping them only on the website of a government office? How is the basic right to information provided by the Constitution of Nepal guaranteed to the citizens?&rdquo; questioned the statement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stakeholders have urged the government to reconsider the far-reaching impacts of the decision taken in a hasty, immature and impractical manner on the delivery of public services provided by government agencies. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement also mentions that criminal activities such as making the information posted on the website unable to view for a short or long time, and changing the information once posted at any time later are likely to happen when the new rule comes into force.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Even if the ability to investigate such crimes exists, the negative impact of such criminal acts has far-fetching consequences, warned the stakeholders. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;In a country where the computer literacy rate is very low and access to the Internet is also low, we condemn the conspiracy to benefit a certain organization by putting information related to public construction and procurement, letters of intent, bids, and tenders that are directly related to the public only on the website of an office,&#39;&#39; the statement said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The joint statement further mentions that this step of the government has seriously affected the entire communication industry, hardworking journalists and advertising businessmen who are directly and indirectly involved in upholding the right to information of the common citizens.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The three organisations have requested the government to immediately correct the flawed decision as it affects the livelihood of countless people. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">All organizations related to the communication and media sector have warned of serious protest if their request falls on deaf ears.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement also mentions that the government should take responsibility for the situation arising from this move.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2023-07-20',
			'modified' => '2023-07-20',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '18247',
			'image' => '20230720022510_pp.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 14:24:31',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18515',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Industries Registered with FDI Increase in Volume but Decline in Terms of Commitment Amount',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Foreign investment commitments: Number of industry registrations increased, commitment amount decreased',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Foreign investment commitments: Number of industry registrations increased, commitment amount decreased</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The commitment made by foreign investors to invest in Nepal has decreased in the last fiscal year compared to the previous FY. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Despite a considerable number of foreign investors registering industry and getting approval of investment commitment from the Department of Industry in the last fiscal year, the amount of investment has decreased compared to the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Although the commitment amount has decreased, the number of registered industries is relatively high. According to the annual progress report published by the Department of Industry, the investment commitment amount has decreased by Rs 15.75 billion. The number of industries registered during this period has increased. Last year, 327 foreign investment industries were registered. In the previous year FY 2021/22), the number of industries with foreign investment registered in Nepal was 295.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the department, foreign investors had committed to invest Rs 38.40 billion while registering those 327 industries. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">When these industries come into operation, around 17,012 people will get employment opportunities in the country. Last year, foreign investors had made investment commitment of Rs 54.15 billion while registering 295 industries. The proposed employment was 16,905.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Foreign investors seem to be more enthusiastic about investing in small scale industries. This process was repeated last year as well. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Out of the total 327 industries registered last year, the number of small scale industries stood at 297. In the previous year, 217 small industries were registered among 295 industries. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">An official of the department said that the number of industries registered has increased due to the minimum threshold set by the government for foreign investment. According to him, the investment amount is low.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government has been revising this threshold time and again. As a result, the data of the department shows that foreign investors are more focused on getting the project approved within the threshold. The government last year reduced the foreign investment threshold to Rs 20 million. Four years ago, the government had set such a limit at Rs 50 million. Before that, the minimum limit for foreign investment was Rs 5 million.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Looking at the statistics of the Department of Industry, it seems that foreign investors propose and approve investment projects within this limit. Last year, 25 medium-scale industries and 5 large-scale industries were registered.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Foreign investors seem to be more interested in the tourism sector. The data of the department shows that more investment commitments were made in the same sector last year. According to the data, 34.41 percent of the industries registered with foreign investment were related to the tourism sector.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">After the tourism sector, the foreign investors are attracted towards the service sector. In the third place, foreign investments were made in the manufacturing industries. Altogether 16.5 percent of such industries were registered in the ICT segment and 1 percent in energy and agriculture sectors.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18518',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'DRI Busts Gold Smuggling Group, Arrests Six People   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has busted a group of smugglers involved in a recent gold smuggling case. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has busted a group of smugglers involved in a recent gold smuggling case. The police have so far arrested six people for their alleged involvement in smuggling around 100 kilograms of the previous yellow metal via the Tribhuvan International Airport.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Director-General of the Department, Nawaraj Dhungana, search for others involved in the gold smuggling is currently underway. The identities of those arrested have not been disclosed yet.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A special team of the department on Wednesday had seized a huge amount of gold in front of the Tribhuvan international Airport Customs Office while it was being transported through the customs pass in a taxi. The department had immediately arrested two persons along with the gold in front of the TIA Customs Office gate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Dhungana further shared the team arrested additional four individuals involved in the scam on Thursday morning. It is said that the gold was brought from Hong Kong.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">This is so far the first incident where such a big quantity of gold was seized in Nepal. &quot;Details are yet to be revealed. A manhunt has been launched to arrest those who are on the run,&quot; he said. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18514',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Problems Faced by Underdeveloped Countries Raised in G-20 FMCBG Meeting: FM Mahat   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has returned home after attending the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors meeting held in Gujarat, India.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has returned home after attending the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors meeting held in Gujarat, India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Talking to media persons upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, Finance Minister Mahat said the meeting was significant to inform the international community about different types of problems and challenges the underdeveloped and developing countries were facing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;&quot;It was significant opportunity to mention problems of the underdeveloped countries in the meeting. Issues including problems of climate change faced by the underdeveloped countries, global challenges surfaced with the use of information technology, management of digital transaction were raised,&quot; he explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The finance minister further said that it was an opportunity to put forth Nepal&rsquo;s views on how the digital transaction and its tax related issues could be managed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The G-20 countries also showed interest on the issues of low economic growth rate and decreasing loan flow seen across the globe, he shared. Minister Mahat viewed that significant meetings were held with development partners and donor agencies during his India visit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He shared, &quot;We held discussions with donor agencies such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, among others. We also held bilateral meetings with the finance ministers of India and China and discussed bilateral investment and trade. There was an eventful meeting with India&#39;s private sector entrepreneurs regarding investment in Nepal.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the third G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting, Minister Mahat said that he had briefed the international community about the climate change and how Nepal was bearing the loss and damages emanating from climate crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, he also raised the issue on how the developed countries could contribute towards minimizing the climate crisis in country like Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;We floated issues on how the scope of international cooperation for sustainable development could be enhanced and the impact of inflation in international market could be reduced on the people&#39;s lives among others in the G-20 forum,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">G-20 member nations such as China, Japan, the United States and France among others as well as international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the like had participated in the summit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the meeting of the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG), a wide range of issues such as world economy and world health, sustainable finance and infrastructure development, international financial scenario, international tax system, financial inclusion among others were discussed in various sessions, it was shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, topics relating to cooperation on management of public debt, regulation and monitoring of crypto currency transactions and optimizing technology in public infrastructures among others were also deliberated in the meeting. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18513',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Kakarvitta Transit Point Sees Encouraging Export of Cash Crops in Last FY   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Export of cash crops such as cardamom, tea leaves, ginger and amriso (broom grass) via the eastern transit point of Kakarvitta increased significantly in the last fiscal year (FY 2022-23).    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Export of cash crops such as cardamom, tea leaves, ginger and amriso (broom grass) via the eastern transit point of Kakarvitta increased significantly in the last fiscal year (FY 2022-23).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Ram Prasad Regmi, the chief customs officer at Mechi Customs Office, there has been a significant increase in the export of various cash crops to India from the eastern transit point.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The export of cardamom saw a remarkable rise of approximately 42 percent last fiscal year. Over 9.9 million kilograms of cardamom worth Rs 8.24 billion, was exported, compared to the previous year&#39;s quantity of around 5.3 million kg worth Rs 4.76 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, the export of tea leaves went up by 16 percent compared to the previous year. The exported quantity was measured over 16 million kg worth over Rs 3.42 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The export of ginger also witnessed a substantial surge of 47 percent compared to the previous year. Over 15.5 million kg of ginger worth over Rs 639.2 million was supplied to India during the review year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, there was a 27 percent rise in the export of broom grass compared to the fiscal year 2021-22. Last fiscal year, over 11.9 million kg of broom grass, worth over Rs 864 million, was exported to India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, the fiscal year 2022-23 also saw encouraging export of plywood and chhurpi, the hardened yak cheese. Plywood worth Rs 1.99 billion was exported to India, a substantial increase from the previous year&#39;s Rs 108 million. Likewise, Chhurpi worth Rs 1.10 billion was exported, compared to Rs 84.3 million in the previous year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Jhapa, Ilam, and Panchthar in Koshi Province are well-known as &#39;pocket areas&#39; for tea production, while Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Dhankuta, Tehrathum, and Bhojpur are significant producers of cardamom, ginger, broom grass, and chhurpi. These products, including plywood, undergo processing, storage, and branding in Jhapa. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 12:18:35',
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			'id' => '18512',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Waive Fee for Company Registration and Capital Increment   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The government is preparing to waive the fee for company registration and capital increment. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The government is preparing to waive the fee for company registration and capital increment. A meeting of the council of ministers on Thursday decided to amend the laws in this regard and then publish a notice about the new arrangements.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma confirmed that the cabinet meeting held at the prime minister&rsquo;s official residence in Baluwatar on Thursday morning took a decision to this effect.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The meeting also approved the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal upcoming visit to participate in the &#39;United Nations Food System, 2023 Stocktaking Moment&#39; to be organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its headquarters in Italy. The meeting decided that PM Dahal-led Nepali delegation will comprise Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Beduram Bhusal and others.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Minister Sharma shared that the government has appointed Dr Rabi Malla as the executive committee member of the Martyr Gangalal National Heart Centre. Dr Malla has been serving at the hospital as a medical person. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 11:34:42',
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			'id' => '18511',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Huge Quantity of Gold Seized from TIA',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has seized a huge quantity of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport that had passed undetected through the customs on Wednesday evening.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has seized a huge quantity of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport that had passed undetected through the customs on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Department, around 80-100 kilogrammes of the precious yellow metal was confiscated in course of a raid based on a tip off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the Department, Nabaraj Dhungana, told RSS that three persons were arrested on the charge of being involved in smuggling the gold.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It is said that the gold was brought from Hong Kong. Other details of the incident would be revealed by later today (Thursday) after further investigation, shared Dhungana. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'title' => 'Monetary Policy should Prioritize Investment in Productive Sector: MPs   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: Lawmakers have suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to bring a monetary policy for the fiscal year 2023/24 that encourages increasing investment in the productive sector.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: Lawmakers have suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to bring a monetary policy for the fiscal year 2023/24 that encourages increasing investment in the productive sector. They also stressed on creating more jobs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Members of Parliament made such remarks at a meeting of the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Thursday. The MPs argued that the monetary policy should focus on creating domestic production to make a robust national economy. Most of the committee members said that the new monetary policy should prioritize the agriculture sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the occasion, Former Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel asked the NRB to ponder on applying best policies that create more jobs and ensure increased productivity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Poudel was of the view that a moderate monetary policy was needed instead of a tough or a flexible policy. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The current situation is the result of the past. So it is necessary to review the policies of the past,&quot; he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, lawmaker Dr Swornim Wagle said that there wasn&rsquo;t any balance between the economic growth rate and loan investment. He added that the banks and financial institutions made their loan investment more on unproductive sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Dr Wagle stated that loan in the productive sector should be increased by tightening loans on real estate sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Lawmaker Gyan Bahadur Shahi claimed that the BFIs were making unfair benefits by investing loans on high interest rate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, lawmaker Bhagwati Chaudhary said that the small and medium-sized enterprises should get loan in an accessible manner and the micro-finance institutions should be regulated.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, Governor of NRB Maha Prasad Adhikari said that the new monetary policy would focus on achieving economic growth rate set by the government, inflation control and management of external sector in the economy. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18525',
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			'title' => 'SC Seeks Written Response from Government on Constituency Development Fund   ',
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			'summary' => 'July 21: The Supreme Court has sought a written response from the government on its financial arrangement for the constituency development fund.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Supreme Court has sought a written response from the government on its financial arrangement for the constituency development fund.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A single bench of Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal issued a show cause notice to the government after conducting a preliminary hearing on a writ petition on Thursday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, Office of the Prime Minister, and Finance Ministry, among others have been demanded written response on why Rs 50 million was allocated to the constituency development fund through the recent budget.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the budget speech (point no 445) announced on May 29, the government included the controversial provision of allocating Rs 50 million to a constituency. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A writ petition was filed against this arrangement, arguing that it was a wrong trend to distribute money to lawmakers at a time when the country was facing economic crisis. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'title' => 'Nepal-China sign MoU on Development and Exchange of Agricultural Technology, Skills   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday on technology development and exchange of skills in the field of agriculture.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday on technology development and exchange of skills in the field of agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Executive Director of NARC Dr Dhurba Raj Bhattarai and Vice-Chairman of SAAS Dr Leo Younghang signed the MoU on technology transfer and skills exchange.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It is said that the two institutions would cooperate on technology transfer and developed in the field of agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Sharing the information about the MoU, NARC Executive Director Dr Bhattarai said that agreement has been made to collaborate on increasing quality productions as well as agriculture development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, SAAS Vice-Chairman has pledged to provide training to Nepali researchers and technicians on high-quality agricultural technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Such training would be given to Nepali researchers on maize and sweet yam production in the near future.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A team of SAAS Vice-Chairman is currently on three-day Nepal visit. -- RSS </span></span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2023-07-21',
			'modified' => '2023-07-21',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '18254',
			'image' => '20230721010028_Agri.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-21 12:59:11',
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18523',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Probe Committee to Investigate Gold Smuggling Incident at TIA   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: The Department of Customs has formed a probe committee to investigate into the incident related to the smuggling in of around one quintal gold from TIA without checking.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Department of Customs has formed a probe committee to investigate into the incident related to the smuggling in of around one quintal gold from TIA without checking.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A six-member probe committee was formed under coordination of Man Bahadur Poudel, the director at the Investigation Section of the Department of Customs.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Information Officer of the department Punya Bikram Khadka, the investigation committee has been directed to submit its report within five days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the department, Shova Kanta Poudel, formed the probe committee on Friday to look into the incident of how around one quintal gold was cleared from the customs undetected.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Information Officer Khadka said, &quot;The probe committee has been formed as such situation can sometimes arise due to technical error even when the department&rsquo;s staff carry out necessary checking.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Department of Revenue Investigation had seized around 100 kilogrammes of gold from Sinamangal on Wednesday on a special tip-off. A total of six persons have been arrested in this connection so far.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the Department of Revenue Investigation, Nawaraj Dhungana, said the seized yellow metal has been sent to Nepal Rastra Bank through the Department of Customs for its safe-keeping.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">---&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'sortorder' => '18253',
			'image' => '20230721113507_goldee.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-21 11:34:28',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18522',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Mandatory Labeling Provision for Import Items Courts Controversy',
			'sub_title' => 'Import of Medicines Halted due to the New Provision of Labeling',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Even though the government has made it mandatory for labeling imported goods with clear details of the importer and distributor since July 17,',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Even though the government has made it mandatory for labeling imported goods with clear details of the importer and distributor since July </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">7, the importers complain that the authorities are indifferent towards solving the unreasonable difficulties caused by this new provision. Import of medicine has been stopped for three days due to conflicting legal arrangements of government agencies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Prakash Khandelwal, senior vice president of Nepal Drug Practitioners Association, the importers have stopped the importing drugs after the Department of Customs instructed them to label only the label, but the Drug Administration Department said that no details can be mentioned on the packaging of the drugs without approval.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As a result, the importers has not yet received the medicines that have arrived at the border. Senior Vice President Khandelwal also warned that if the problem is not resolved soon, there may be shortage of medicines. Even now, about </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> percent of medicine supplies depend on imports, say businessmen.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The customs clearance of drugs has not been possible since July </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The customs officials cite one rule while the DDA says no content can be added to the packaging. In such a situation, there is no option but to stop the import,&#39;&#39; said Khandelwal, who is also a medicine importer.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief Customs Administrator of Birganj Customs, Dilaram Panthi, admitted that the businessmen were confused due to the contradictions in the rules between the government agencies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;There is no need to put a label when passing the customs inspection. The label should be kept at the time of distribution. There is no obstacle in clearing the customs check. The businessmen must have been talking about the difficulties caused by the rules of the drug administration department,&rdquo; said Customs Administrator Panthi.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government, through the Finance Bill </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">2080</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">, has made arrangement for labeling the imported goods before sending them to the market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The labels should include the details of the importer and the distributor. The Department of Customs has said that if goods are found to be sold without labels, such goods will be confiscated. The department had sent information about this to the importers last month.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The importers complain that the government implemented this system in a very short time. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;We had informed all agencies concerned about the problems that may arise in the import of medicines due to this system. Instead of a solution, they issued us a warning that they would confiscate the medicines. How can medicines be imported in such a situation?&rdquo; questioned Khandelwal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government claims that the labeling system will be effective in controlling the import of low-quality goods and preventing illegal imports. However, Hari Gautam, senior vice president of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that this arrangement could be just another pretext of collecting unauthorized money by extorting the businessmen.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'modified' => '2023-07-21',
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			'description' => '',
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			'article_date' => '2023-07-21 10:57:02',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18521',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Finance Ministry Issues 81-point Guideline for Budget Implementation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'The Finance Ministry has issued an 81-point guideline for the effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2080/081 BS. The guidelines focus on maximizing resource utilization, being economical on expenses, and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Fiscal discipline is also emphasized.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 21: The Finance Ministry has issued an 81-point guideline for the effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2080/081 BS.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The guidelines focus on maximizing resource utilization, being economical on expenses, and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Fiscal discipline is also emphasized.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government institutions are directed to complete preparatory jobs for the implementation of annual plans and programs. T</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">hey must formulate new procedures, directives, and standards within a month if they were to seek an approval from the Ministry. Approved procedures should be updated on the agencies&#39; websites within a week.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tenders should be called within the first three months of the fiscal year, and the contract agreement should be completed by mid-November, with work commencing within 15 days.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects failing to carry out the contract agreement within nine months after resource assurance may face automatic scrapping.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects that haven&#39;t gone into bidding after nine months of the agreement and haven&#39;t been proposed for appropriations in the current fiscal year budget may also have their source agreements scrapped.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The implementation of certain programs is recommended to be carried out by thematic committees, and &#39;reward&#39; and &#39;punishment&#39; culture in the construction business is encouraged.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects worth over Rs 100 million are recommended for undergoing construction quality tests by the National Vigilance Centre.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Payments are suggested to be made based on physical progress and project quality. Certain conditions are set for quarterly budget releases.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Environment impact assessment and preliminary environment tests should be carried out within fixed timeframes to facilitate project implementation.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Multi-year contracted projects should be implemented from the allocated budget itself.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Organization and management surveys should be conducted before mid-December to improve the existing organization of public administration.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Budget implementers are asked to maintain utmost frugality in administrative expenses, including allowance, training, seminar, service fee, visit, stationery, maintenance, fuel, electricity tariff, and rent. (RSS)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '18251',
			'image' => '20230721055703_collage (10).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-21 05:54:16',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18520',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Only 11 Out of 17 Development Banks Earn Profit in FY 2022/2023',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'During the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2022/2023, out of the 17 development banks operating in Nepal, only 11 of them were able to generate profits, while the remaining 6 banks faced losses.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 20: During the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2022/2023, out of the 17 development banks operating in Nepal, only 11 of them were able to generate profits, while the remaining 6 banks faced losses.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to data released by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the 11 profitable development banks collectively earned a total profit of Rs 5.10 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Muktinath Development Bank emerged as the top performer, making profit of Rs 1.9 billion within the 11-month period. Similarly, Garima Development Bank also performed well, earning a net profit of Rs 82 crores.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the other hand, Green Development Bank witnessed the lowest profit of Rs 4.9 million during the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In contrast, Karnali Development Bank, Sindhu Bikash Bank, Narayani Development Bank, Excel Development Bank, and Saptakoshi Development Bank faced losses during the same period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Among these, Saptakoshi Development Bank incurred the highest loss, exceeding Rs 28 crores.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2023-07-20',
			'modified' => '2023-07-20',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '18250',
			'image' => '20230720055606_collage (16).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 17:54:09',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18519',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NRB to Issue Monetary Policy Next Week: Central Bank Governor Adhikari',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'The Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari today said the Monetary Policy for Fiscal Year, 2023/24 will be issued in line with the budget policy.',
			'content' => '<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 20: The Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari today said the Monetary Policy for Fiscal Year, 2023/24 will&nbsp;be issued in line with the budget policy.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Preparations are underway to bring the monetary policy the next week, he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary policy would focus on achieving the economic growth as per the budget target, controlling inflation and managing external sector, he said while attending the meeting of the Finance Committee under the Federal Parliament&#39;s House of Representatives. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although there are some positive economic indicators like the balanced external sector, decreasing interest rates and adequacy of liquidity, some problems like inflation, deficit reserve fund and sluggish credit expansion still persist, he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;The permissible limit of inflation for the previous FY was seven percent, and it remains above that this FY. The reserve fund is in deficit of Rs 193 billion. The credit expansion has decreased despite good deposit collection,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The external sector seems easing&nbsp;as compared to the previous year, he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Now, there is liquidity worth Rs 88.5 billion in the banking system. The current accounts suffer a deficit of Rs 70 billion, and there were difficulties to recover loans due to the market slowdown,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Until June 15, 2023, the total 147,510 people took concessional loans, he said. The Central Bank would take an appropriate decision in finding ways to balance the country&#39;s economy, he added. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Today&#39;s problems are a slowdown in real estate, and failure to collect revenues and achieve capital expenditure as per target&quot;.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary policy does not have all instruments to resolve problems. We will use whatever instruments we have,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, the interest and base rates of loans and deposits are decreasing, and the CD ratio has dropped to 82 percent. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government has set a target of keeping inflation within the permissible limit of 6.50 percent in the current FY, and the monetary instruments would be mobilised accordingly, it said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Finance Secretary Arjun Kumar Pokharel viewed that there should be synchronization between the fiscal policy and monetary policy.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Similarly, achieving the economic growth and keeping inflation under control should be the first priority of the monetary policy, Pokharel said.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He added that monetray policy should also&nbsp; accord priorities in implementing the government&#39;s policies and programmes by&nbsp;increasing loans in the productive sector and domestic productions, Pokhrael said. ---(RSS)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'created' => '2023-07-20',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18516',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'E-Procurement System Directive 2080 Poses Existential Crisis to Communications and Media Industry',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The 'Electricity Procurement System Directive 2080' issued by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office poses existential crisis to the country's communication and media industry.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The &#39;Electricity Procurement System Directive </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">2080</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&#39; issued by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office poses existential crisis to the country&#39;s communication and media industry.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The stakeholders have requested the government to amend the provisions in the new directive that allows publishing information related to public procurement only on the website of the government body concerned.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal Media Society, Media Alliance Nepal and Nepal Advertising Association issued a joint statement on Wednesday and expressed their objection to the provisions in the directive.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement signed by Nepal Media Society President Shuba Shankar Kandel, Media Alliance Nepal President Bhashkar Raj Rajakarnikar and Nepal Advertising Association President Som Prasad Dhital states that the new directive is against the information rights of the citizens and consumers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">When the information system is weak and there is no access to e-mail and internet across the country, an attempt has been made to create a syndicate between the bureaucracy and the contractor by keeping public procurement notices only on the website of the Public Procurement Monitoring Office Kathmandu and imposing a ban on the practice of publishing them in national-level daily newspapers in accordance with the prevailing law,&quot; the statement said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement accused the government of undermining the democratic values by not discussing such vital issues with the relevant parties while amending the existing laws in order to support the vested interests of certain firms and individuals.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;How can ordinary citizens living in seven provinces of Nepal have access to information and information related to public construction and procurement, letters of intent, bids, tenders that are directly related to the people by keeping them only on the website of a government office? How is the basic right to information provided by the Constitution of Nepal guaranteed to the citizens?&rdquo; questioned the statement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stakeholders have urged the government to reconsider the far-reaching impacts of the decision taken in a hasty, immature and impractical manner on the delivery of public services provided by government agencies. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement also mentions that criminal activities such as making the information posted on the website unable to view for a short or long time, and changing the information once posted at any time later are likely to happen when the new rule comes into force.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Even if the ability to investigate such crimes exists, the negative impact of such criminal acts has far-fetching consequences, warned the stakeholders. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;In a country where the computer literacy rate is very low and access to the Internet is also low, we condemn the conspiracy to benefit a certain organization by putting information related to public construction and procurement, letters of intent, bids, and tenders that are directly related to the public only on the website of an office,&#39;&#39; the statement said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The joint statement further mentions that this step of the government has seriously affected the entire communication industry, hardworking journalists and advertising businessmen who are directly and indirectly involved in upholding the right to information of the common citizens.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The three organisations have requested the government to immediately correct the flawed decision as it affects the livelihood of countless people. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">All organizations related to the communication and media sector have warned of serious protest if their request falls on deaf ears.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement also mentions that the government should take responsibility for the situation arising from this move.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18515',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Industries Registered with FDI Increase in Volume but Decline in Terms of Commitment Amount',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Foreign investment commitments: Number of industry registrations increased, commitment amount decreased',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Foreign investment commitments: Number of industry registrations increased, commitment amount decreased</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The commitment made by foreign investors to invest in Nepal has decreased in the last fiscal year compared to the previous FY. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Despite a considerable number of foreign investors registering industry and getting approval of investment commitment from the Department of Industry in the last fiscal year, the amount of investment has decreased compared to the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Although the commitment amount has decreased, the number of registered industries is relatively high. According to the annual progress report published by the Department of Industry, the investment commitment amount has decreased by Rs 15.75 billion. The number of industries registered during this period has increased. Last year, 327 foreign investment industries were registered. In the previous year FY 2021/22), the number of industries with foreign investment registered in Nepal was 295.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the department, foreign investors had committed to invest Rs 38.40 billion while registering those 327 industries. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">When these industries come into operation, around 17,012 people will get employment opportunities in the country. Last year, foreign investors had made investment commitment of Rs 54.15 billion while registering 295 industries. The proposed employment was 16,905.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Foreign investors seem to be more enthusiastic about investing in small scale industries. This process was repeated last year as well. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Out of the total 327 industries registered last year, the number of small scale industries stood at 297. In the previous year, 217 small industries were registered among 295 industries. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">An official of the department said that the number of industries registered has increased due to the minimum threshold set by the government for foreign investment. According to him, the investment amount is low.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government has been revising this threshold time and again. As a result, the data of the department shows that foreign investors are more focused on getting the project approved within the threshold. The government last year reduced the foreign investment threshold to Rs 20 million. Four years ago, the government had set such a limit at Rs 50 million. Before that, the minimum limit for foreign investment was Rs 5 million.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Looking at the statistics of the Department of Industry, it seems that foreign investors propose and approve investment projects within this limit. Last year, 25 medium-scale industries and 5 large-scale industries were registered.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Foreign investors seem to be more interested in the tourism sector. The data of the department shows that more investment commitments were made in the same sector last year. According to the data, 34.41 percent of the industries registered with foreign investment were related to the tourism sector.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">After the tourism sector, the foreign investors are attracted towards the service sector. In the third place, foreign investments were made in the manufacturing industries. Altogether 16.5 percent of such industries were registered in the ICT segment and 1 percent in energy and agriculture sectors.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18518',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'DRI Busts Gold Smuggling Group, Arrests Six People   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has busted a group of smugglers involved in a recent gold smuggling case. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has busted a group of smugglers involved in a recent gold smuggling case. The police have so far arrested six people for their alleged involvement in smuggling around 100 kilograms of the previous yellow metal via the Tribhuvan International Airport.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Director-General of the Department, Nawaraj Dhungana, search for others involved in the gold smuggling is currently underway. The identities of those arrested have not been disclosed yet.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A special team of the department on Wednesday had seized a huge amount of gold in front of the Tribhuvan international Airport Customs Office while it was being transported through the customs pass in a taxi. The department had immediately arrested two persons along with the gold in front of the TIA Customs Office gate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Dhungana further shared the team arrested additional four individuals involved in the scam on Thursday morning. It is said that the gold was brought from Hong Kong.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">This is so far the first incident where such a big quantity of gold was seized in Nepal. &quot;Details are yet to be revealed. A manhunt has been launched to arrest those who are on the run,&quot; he said. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18514',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Problems Faced by Underdeveloped Countries Raised in G-20 FMCBG Meeting: FM Mahat   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has returned home after attending the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors meeting held in Gujarat, India.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has returned home after attending the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors meeting held in Gujarat, India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Talking to media persons upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, Finance Minister Mahat said the meeting was significant to inform the international community about different types of problems and challenges the underdeveloped and developing countries were facing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;&quot;It was significant opportunity to mention problems of the underdeveloped countries in the meeting. Issues including problems of climate change faced by the underdeveloped countries, global challenges surfaced with the use of information technology, management of digital transaction were raised,&quot; he explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The finance minister further said that it was an opportunity to put forth Nepal&rsquo;s views on how the digital transaction and its tax related issues could be managed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The G-20 countries also showed interest on the issues of low economic growth rate and decreasing loan flow seen across the globe, he shared. Minister Mahat viewed that significant meetings were held with development partners and donor agencies during his India visit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He shared, &quot;We held discussions with donor agencies such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, among others. We also held bilateral meetings with the finance ministers of India and China and discussed bilateral investment and trade. There was an eventful meeting with India&#39;s private sector entrepreneurs regarding investment in Nepal.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the third G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting, Minister Mahat said that he had briefed the international community about the climate change and how Nepal was bearing the loss and damages emanating from climate crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, he also raised the issue on how the developed countries could contribute towards minimizing the climate crisis in country like Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;We floated issues on how the scope of international cooperation for sustainable development could be enhanced and the impact of inflation in international market could be reduced on the people&#39;s lives among others in the G-20 forum,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">G-20 member nations such as China, Japan, the United States and France among others as well as international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the like had participated in the summit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the meeting of the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG), a wide range of issues such as world economy and world health, sustainable finance and infrastructure development, international financial scenario, international tax system, financial inclusion among others were discussed in various sessions, it was shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, topics relating to cooperation on management of public debt, regulation and monitoring of crypto currency transactions and optimizing technology in public infrastructures among others were also deliberated in the meeting. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18513',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Kakarvitta Transit Point Sees Encouraging Export of Cash Crops in Last FY   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Export of cash crops such as cardamom, tea leaves, ginger and amriso (broom grass) via the eastern transit point of Kakarvitta increased significantly in the last fiscal year (FY 2022-23).    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Export of cash crops such as cardamom, tea leaves, ginger and amriso (broom grass) via the eastern transit point of Kakarvitta increased significantly in the last fiscal year (FY 2022-23).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Ram Prasad Regmi, the chief customs officer at Mechi Customs Office, there has been a significant increase in the export of various cash crops to India from the eastern transit point.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The export of cardamom saw a remarkable rise of approximately 42 percent last fiscal year. Over 9.9 million kilograms of cardamom worth Rs 8.24 billion, was exported, compared to the previous year&#39;s quantity of around 5.3 million kg worth Rs 4.76 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, the export of tea leaves went up by 16 percent compared to the previous year. The exported quantity was measured over 16 million kg worth over Rs 3.42 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The export of ginger also witnessed a substantial surge of 47 percent compared to the previous year. Over 15.5 million kg of ginger worth over Rs 639.2 million was supplied to India during the review year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, there was a 27 percent rise in the export of broom grass compared to the fiscal year 2021-22. Last fiscal year, over 11.9 million kg of broom grass, worth over Rs 864 million, was exported to India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, the fiscal year 2022-23 also saw encouraging export of plywood and chhurpi, the hardened yak cheese. Plywood worth Rs 1.99 billion was exported to India, a substantial increase from the previous year&#39;s Rs 108 million. Likewise, Chhurpi worth Rs 1.10 billion was exported, compared to Rs 84.3 million in the previous year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Jhapa, Ilam, and Panchthar in Koshi Province are well-known as &#39;pocket areas&#39; for tea production, while Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Dhankuta, Tehrathum, and Bhojpur are significant producers of cardamom, ginger, broom grass, and chhurpi. These products, including plywood, undergo processing, storage, and branding in Jhapa. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'image' => '20230720121937_BlackCardamom.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 12:18:35',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18512',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Waive Fee for Company Registration and Capital Increment   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The government is preparing to waive the fee for company registration and capital increment. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The government is preparing to waive the fee for company registration and capital increment. A meeting of the council of ministers on Thursday decided to amend the laws in this regard and then publish a notice about the new arrangements.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma confirmed that the cabinet meeting held at the prime minister&rsquo;s official residence in Baluwatar on Thursday morning took a decision to this effect.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The meeting also approved the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal upcoming visit to participate in the &#39;United Nations Food System, 2023 Stocktaking Moment&#39; to be organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its headquarters in Italy. The meeting decided that PM Dahal-led Nepali delegation will comprise Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Beduram Bhusal and others.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Minister Sharma shared that the government has appointed Dr Rabi Malla as the executive committee member of the Martyr Gangalal National Heart Centre. Dr Malla has been serving at the hospital as a medical person. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 11:34:42',
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			'id' => '18511',
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			'title' => 'Huge Quantity of Gold Seized from TIA',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has seized a huge quantity of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport that had passed undetected through the customs on Wednesday evening.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has seized a huge quantity of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport that had passed undetected through the customs on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Department, around 80-100 kilogrammes of the precious yellow metal was confiscated in course of a raid based on a tip off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the Department, Nabaraj Dhungana, told RSS that three persons were arrested on the charge of being involved in smuggling the gold.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It is said that the gold was brought from Hong Kong. Other details of the incident would be revealed by later today (Thursday) after further investigation, shared Dhungana. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18526',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Monetary Policy should Prioritize Investment in Productive Sector: MPs   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: Lawmakers have suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to bring a monetary policy for the fiscal year 2023/24 that encourages increasing investment in the productive sector.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: Lawmakers have suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to bring a monetary policy for the fiscal year 2023/24 that encourages increasing investment in the productive sector. They also stressed on creating more jobs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Members of Parliament made such remarks at a meeting of the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Thursday. The MPs argued that the monetary policy should focus on creating domestic production to make a robust national economy. Most of the committee members said that the new monetary policy should prioritize the agriculture sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the occasion, Former Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel asked the NRB to ponder on applying best policies that create more jobs and ensure increased productivity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Poudel was of the view that a moderate monetary policy was needed instead of a tough or a flexible policy. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The current situation is the result of the past. So it is necessary to review the policies of the past,&quot; he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, lawmaker Dr Swornim Wagle said that there wasn&rsquo;t any balance between the economic growth rate and loan investment. He added that the banks and financial institutions made their loan investment more on unproductive sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Dr Wagle stated that loan in the productive sector should be increased by tightening loans on real estate sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Lawmaker Gyan Bahadur Shahi claimed that the BFIs were making unfair benefits by investing loans on high interest rate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, lawmaker Bhagwati Chaudhary said that the small and medium-sized enterprises should get loan in an accessible manner and the micro-finance institutions should be regulated.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, Governor of NRB Maha Prasad Adhikari said that the new monetary policy would focus on achieving economic growth rate set by the government, inflation control and management of external sector in the economy. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'title' => 'SC Seeks Written Response from Government on Constituency Development Fund   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: The Supreme Court has sought a written response from the government on its financial arrangement for the constituency development fund.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Supreme Court has sought a written response from the government on its financial arrangement for the constituency development fund.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A single bench of Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal issued a show cause notice to the government after conducting a preliminary hearing on a writ petition on Thursday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, Office of the Prime Minister, and Finance Ministry, among others have been demanded written response on why Rs 50 million was allocated to the constituency development fund through the recent budget.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the budget speech (point no 445) announced on May 29, the government included the controversial provision of allocating Rs 50 million to a constituency. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A writ petition was filed against this arrangement, arguing that it was a wrong trend to distribute money to lawmakers at a time when the country was facing economic crisis. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Nepal-China sign MoU on Development and Exchange of Agricultural Technology, Skills   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday on technology development and exchange of skills in the field of agriculture.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday on technology development and exchange of skills in the field of agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Executive Director of NARC Dr Dhurba Raj Bhattarai and Vice-Chairman of SAAS Dr Leo Younghang signed the MoU on technology transfer and skills exchange.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It is said that the two institutions would cooperate on technology transfer and developed in the field of agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Sharing the information about the MoU, NARC Executive Director Dr Bhattarai said that agreement has been made to collaborate on increasing quality productions as well as agriculture development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, SAAS Vice-Chairman has pledged to provide training to Nepali researchers and technicians on high-quality agricultural technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Such training would be given to Nepali researchers on maize and sweet yam production in the near future.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A team of SAAS Vice-Chairman is currently on three-day Nepal visit. -- RSS </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18523',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Probe Committee to Investigate Gold Smuggling Incident at TIA   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: The Department of Customs has formed a probe committee to investigate into the incident related to the smuggling in of around one quintal gold from TIA without checking.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Department of Customs has formed a probe committee to investigate into the incident related to the smuggling in of around one quintal gold from TIA without checking.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A six-member probe committee was formed under coordination of Man Bahadur Poudel, the director at the Investigation Section of the Department of Customs.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Information Officer of the department Punya Bikram Khadka, the investigation committee has been directed to submit its report within five days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the department, Shova Kanta Poudel, formed the probe committee on Friday to look into the incident of how around one quintal gold was cleared from the customs undetected.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Information Officer Khadka said, &quot;The probe committee has been formed as such situation can sometimes arise due to technical error even when the department&rsquo;s staff carry out necessary checking.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Department of Revenue Investigation had seized around 100 kilogrammes of gold from Sinamangal on Wednesday on a special tip-off. A total of six persons have been arrested in this connection so far.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the Department of Revenue Investigation, Nawaraj Dhungana, said the seized yellow metal has been sent to Nepal Rastra Bank through the Department of Customs for its safe-keeping.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">---&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18522',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Mandatory Labeling Provision for Import Items Courts Controversy',
			'sub_title' => 'Import of Medicines Halted due to the New Provision of Labeling',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Even though the government has made it mandatory for labeling imported goods with clear details of the importer and distributor since July 17,',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Even though the government has made it mandatory for labeling imported goods with clear details of the importer and distributor since July </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">7, the importers complain that the authorities are indifferent towards solving the unreasonable difficulties caused by this new provision. Import of medicine has been stopped for three days due to conflicting legal arrangements of government agencies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Prakash Khandelwal, senior vice president of Nepal Drug Practitioners Association, the importers have stopped the importing drugs after the Department of Customs instructed them to label only the label, but the Drug Administration Department said that no details can be mentioned on the packaging of the drugs without approval.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As a result, the importers has not yet received the medicines that have arrived at the border. Senior Vice President Khandelwal also warned that if the problem is not resolved soon, there may be shortage of medicines. Even now, about </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> percent of medicine supplies depend on imports, say businessmen.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The customs clearance of drugs has not been possible since July </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The customs officials cite one rule while the DDA says no content can be added to the packaging. In such a situation, there is no option but to stop the import,&#39;&#39; said Khandelwal, who is also a medicine importer.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief Customs Administrator of Birganj Customs, Dilaram Panthi, admitted that the businessmen were confused due to the contradictions in the rules between the government agencies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;There is no need to put a label when passing the customs inspection. The label should be kept at the time of distribution. There is no obstacle in clearing the customs check. The businessmen must have been talking about the difficulties caused by the rules of the drug administration department,&rdquo; said Customs Administrator Panthi.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government, through the Finance Bill </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">2080</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">, has made arrangement for labeling the imported goods before sending them to the market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The labels should include the details of the importer and the distributor. The Department of Customs has said that if goods are found to be sold without labels, such goods will be confiscated. The department had sent information about this to the importers last month.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The importers complain that the government implemented this system in a very short time. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;We had informed all agencies concerned about the problems that may arise in the import of medicines due to this system. Instead of a solution, they issued us a warning that they would confiscate the medicines. How can medicines be imported in such a situation?&rdquo; questioned Khandelwal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government claims that the labeling system will be effective in controlling the import of low-quality goods and preventing illegal imports. However, Hari Gautam, senior vice president of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that this arrangement could be just another pretext of collecting unauthorized money by extorting the businessmen.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'title' => 'Finance Ministry Issues 81-point Guideline for Budget Implementation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'The Finance Ministry has issued an 81-point guideline for the effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2080/081 BS. The guidelines focus on maximizing resource utilization, being economical on expenses, and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Fiscal discipline is also emphasized.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 21: The Finance Ministry has issued an 81-point guideline for the effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2080/081 BS.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The guidelines focus on maximizing resource utilization, being economical on expenses, and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Fiscal discipline is also emphasized.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government institutions are directed to complete preparatory jobs for the implementation of annual plans and programs. T</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">hey must formulate new procedures, directives, and standards within a month if they were to seek an approval from the Ministry. Approved procedures should be updated on the agencies&#39; websites within a week.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tenders should be called within the first three months of the fiscal year, and the contract agreement should be completed by mid-November, with work commencing within 15 days.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects failing to carry out the contract agreement within nine months after resource assurance may face automatic scrapping.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects that haven&#39;t gone into bidding after nine months of the agreement and haven&#39;t been proposed for appropriations in the current fiscal year budget may also have their source agreements scrapped.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The implementation of certain programs is recommended to be carried out by thematic committees, and &#39;reward&#39; and &#39;punishment&#39; culture in the construction business is encouraged.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects worth over Rs 100 million are recommended for undergoing construction quality tests by the National Vigilance Centre.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Payments are suggested to be made based on physical progress and project quality. Certain conditions are set for quarterly budget releases.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Environment impact assessment and preliminary environment tests should be carried out within fixed timeframes to facilitate project implementation.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Multi-year contracted projects should be implemented from the allocated budget itself.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Organization and management surveys should be conducted before mid-December to improve the existing organization of public administration.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Budget implementers are asked to maintain utmost frugality in administrative expenses, including allowance, training, seminar, service fee, visit, stationery, maintenance, fuel, electricity tariff, and rent. (RSS)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2023-07-21',
			'modified' => '2023-07-21',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '18251',
			'image' => '20230721055703_collage (10).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-21 05:54:16',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18520',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Only 11 Out of 17 Development Banks Earn Profit in FY 2022/2023',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'During the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2022/2023, out of the 17 development banks operating in Nepal, only 11 of them were able to generate profits, while the remaining 6 banks faced losses.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 20: During the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2022/2023, out of the 17 development banks operating in Nepal, only 11 of them were able to generate profits, while the remaining 6 banks faced losses.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to data released by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the 11 profitable development banks collectively earned a total profit of Rs 5.10 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Muktinath Development Bank emerged as the top performer, making profit of Rs 1.9 billion within the 11-month period. Similarly, Garima Development Bank also performed well, earning a net profit of Rs 82 crores.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the other hand, Green Development Bank witnessed the lowest profit of Rs 4.9 million during the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In contrast, Karnali Development Bank, Sindhu Bikash Bank, Narayani Development Bank, Excel Development Bank, and Saptakoshi Development Bank faced losses during the same period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Among these, Saptakoshi Development Bank incurred the highest loss, exceeding Rs 28 crores.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2023-07-20',
			'modified' => '2023-07-20',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '18250',
			'image' => '20230720055606_collage (16).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 17:54:09',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18519',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NRB to Issue Monetary Policy Next Week: Central Bank Governor Adhikari',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'The Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari today said the Monetary Policy for Fiscal Year, 2023/24 will be issued in line with the budget policy.',
			'content' => '<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 20: The Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari today said the Monetary Policy for Fiscal Year, 2023/24 will&nbsp;be issued in line with the budget policy.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Preparations are underway to bring the monetary policy the next week, he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary policy would focus on achieving the economic growth as per the budget target, controlling inflation and managing external sector, he said while attending the meeting of the Finance Committee under the Federal Parliament&#39;s House of Representatives. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although there are some positive economic indicators like the balanced external sector, decreasing interest rates and adequacy of liquidity, some problems like inflation, deficit reserve fund and sluggish credit expansion still persist, he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;The permissible limit of inflation for the previous FY was seven percent, and it remains above that this FY. The reserve fund is in deficit of Rs 193 billion. The credit expansion has decreased despite good deposit collection,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The external sector seems easing&nbsp;as compared to the previous year, he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Now, there is liquidity worth Rs 88.5 billion in the banking system. The current accounts suffer a deficit of Rs 70 billion, and there were difficulties to recover loans due to the market slowdown,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Until June 15, 2023, the total 147,510 people took concessional loans, he said. The Central Bank would take an appropriate decision in finding ways to balance the country&#39;s economy, he added. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Today&#39;s problems are a slowdown in real estate, and failure to collect revenues and achieve capital expenditure as per target&quot;.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary policy does not have all instruments to resolve problems. We will use whatever instruments we have,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, the interest and base rates of loans and deposits are decreasing, and the CD ratio has dropped to 82 percent. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government has set a target of keeping inflation within the permissible limit of 6.50 percent in the current FY, and the monetary instruments would be mobilised accordingly, it said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Finance Secretary Arjun Kumar Pokharel viewed that there should be synchronization between the fiscal policy and monetary policy.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Similarly, achieving the economic growth and keeping inflation under control should be the first priority of the monetary policy, Pokharel said.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He added that monetray policy should also&nbsp; accord priorities in implementing the government&#39;s policies and programmes by&nbsp;increasing loans in the productive sector and domestic productions, Pokhrael said. ---(RSS)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18516',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'E-Procurement System Directive 2080 Poses Existential Crisis to Communications and Media Industry',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The 'Electricity Procurement System Directive 2080' issued by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office poses existential crisis to the country's communication and media industry.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The &#39;Electricity Procurement System Directive </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">2080</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&#39; issued by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office poses existential crisis to the country&#39;s communication and media industry.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The stakeholders have requested the government to amend the provisions in the new directive that allows publishing information related to public procurement only on the website of the government body concerned.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal Media Society, Media Alliance Nepal and Nepal Advertising Association issued a joint statement on Wednesday and expressed their objection to the provisions in the directive.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement signed by Nepal Media Society President Shuba Shankar Kandel, Media Alliance Nepal President Bhashkar Raj Rajakarnikar and Nepal Advertising Association President Som Prasad Dhital states that the new directive is against the information rights of the citizens and consumers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">When the information system is weak and there is no access to e-mail and internet across the country, an attempt has been made to create a syndicate between the bureaucracy and the contractor by keeping public procurement notices only on the website of the Public Procurement Monitoring Office Kathmandu and imposing a ban on the practice of publishing them in national-level daily newspapers in accordance with the prevailing law,&quot; the statement said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement accused the government of undermining the democratic values by not discussing such vital issues with the relevant parties while amending the existing laws in order to support the vested interests of certain firms and individuals.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;How can ordinary citizens living in seven provinces of Nepal have access to information and information related to public construction and procurement, letters of intent, bids, tenders that are directly related to the people by keeping them only on the website of a government office? How is the basic right to information provided by the Constitution of Nepal guaranteed to the citizens?&rdquo; questioned the statement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stakeholders have urged the government to reconsider the far-reaching impacts of the decision taken in a hasty, immature and impractical manner on the delivery of public services provided by government agencies. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement also mentions that criminal activities such as making the information posted on the website unable to view for a short or long time, and changing the information once posted at any time later are likely to happen when the new rule comes into force.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Even if the ability to investigate such crimes exists, the negative impact of such criminal acts has far-fetching consequences, warned the stakeholders. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;In a country where the computer literacy rate is very low and access to the Internet is also low, we condemn the conspiracy to benefit a certain organization by putting information related to public construction and procurement, letters of intent, bids, and tenders that are directly related to the public only on the website of an office,&#39;&#39; the statement said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The joint statement further mentions that this step of the government has seriously affected the entire communication industry, hardworking journalists and advertising businessmen who are directly and indirectly involved in upholding the right to information of the common citizens.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The three organisations have requested the government to immediately correct the flawed decision as it affects the livelihood of countless people. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">All organizations related to the communication and media sector have warned of serious protest if their request falls on deaf ears.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement also mentions that the government should take responsibility for the situation arising from this move.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2023-07-20',
			'modified' => '2023-07-20',
			'keywords' => '',
			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '18247',
			'image' => '20230720022510_pp.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 14:24:31',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18515',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Industries Registered with FDI Increase in Volume but Decline in Terms of Commitment Amount',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Foreign investment commitments: Number of industry registrations increased, commitment amount decreased',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Foreign investment commitments: Number of industry registrations increased, commitment amount decreased</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The commitment made by foreign investors to invest in Nepal has decreased in the last fiscal year compared to the previous FY. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Despite a considerable number of foreign investors registering industry and getting approval of investment commitment from the Department of Industry in the last fiscal year, the amount of investment has decreased compared to the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Although the commitment amount has decreased, the number of registered industries is relatively high. According to the annual progress report published by the Department of Industry, the investment commitment amount has decreased by Rs 15.75 billion. The number of industries registered during this period has increased. Last year, 327 foreign investment industries were registered. In the previous year FY 2021/22), the number of industries with foreign investment registered in Nepal was 295.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the department, foreign investors had committed to invest Rs 38.40 billion while registering those 327 industries. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">When these industries come into operation, around 17,012 people will get employment opportunities in the country. Last year, foreign investors had made investment commitment of Rs 54.15 billion while registering 295 industries. The proposed employment was 16,905.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Foreign investors seem to be more enthusiastic about investing in small scale industries. This process was repeated last year as well. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Out of the total 327 industries registered last year, the number of small scale industries stood at 297. In the previous year, 217 small industries were registered among 295 industries. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">An official of the department said that the number of industries registered has increased due to the minimum threshold set by the government for foreign investment. According to him, the investment amount is low.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government has been revising this threshold time and again. As a result, the data of the department shows that foreign investors are more focused on getting the project approved within the threshold. The government last year reduced the foreign investment threshold to Rs 20 million. Four years ago, the government had set such a limit at Rs 50 million. Before that, the minimum limit for foreign investment was Rs 5 million.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Looking at the statistics of the Department of Industry, it seems that foreign investors propose and approve investment projects within this limit. Last year, 25 medium-scale industries and 5 large-scale industries were registered.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Foreign investors seem to be more interested in the tourism sector. The data of the department shows that more investment commitments were made in the same sector last year. According to the data, 34.41 percent of the industries registered with foreign investment were related to the tourism sector.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">After the tourism sector, the foreign investors are attracted towards the service sector. In the third place, foreign investments were made in the manufacturing industries. Altogether 16.5 percent of such industries were registered in the ICT segment and 1 percent in energy and agriculture sectors.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18518',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'DRI Busts Gold Smuggling Group, Arrests Six People   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has busted a group of smugglers involved in a recent gold smuggling case. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has busted a group of smugglers involved in a recent gold smuggling case. The police have so far arrested six people for their alleged involvement in smuggling around 100 kilograms of the previous yellow metal via the Tribhuvan International Airport.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Director-General of the Department, Nawaraj Dhungana, search for others involved in the gold smuggling is currently underway. The identities of those arrested have not been disclosed yet.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A special team of the department on Wednesday had seized a huge amount of gold in front of the Tribhuvan international Airport Customs Office while it was being transported through the customs pass in a taxi. The department had immediately arrested two persons along with the gold in front of the TIA Customs Office gate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Dhungana further shared the team arrested additional four individuals involved in the scam on Thursday morning. It is said that the gold was brought from Hong Kong.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">This is so far the first incident where such a big quantity of gold was seized in Nepal. &quot;Details are yet to be revealed. A manhunt has been launched to arrest those who are on the run,&quot; he said. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18514',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Problems Faced by Underdeveloped Countries Raised in G-20 FMCBG Meeting: FM Mahat   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has returned home after attending the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors meeting held in Gujarat, India.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has returned home after attending the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors meeting held in Gujarat, India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Talking to media persons upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, Finance Minister Mahat said the meeting was significant to inform the international community about different types of problems and challenges the underdeveloped and developing countries were facing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;&quot;It was significant opportunity to mention problems of the underdeveloped countries in the meeting. Issues including problems of climate change faced by the underdeveloped countries, global challenges surfaced with the use of information technology, management of digital transaction were raised,&quot; he explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The finance minister further said that it was an opportunity to put forth Nepal&rsquo;s views on how the digital transaction and its tax related issues could be managed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The G-20 countries also showed interest on the issues of low economic growth rate and decreasing loan flow seen across the globe, he shared. Minister Mahat viewed that significant meetings were held with development partners and donor agencies during his India visit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He shared, &quot;We held discussions with donor agencies such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, among others. We also held bilateral meetings with the finance ministers of India and China and discussed bilateral investment and trade. There was an eventful meeting with India&#39;s private sector entrepreneurs regarding investment in Nepal.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the third G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting, Minister Mahat said that he had briefed the international community about the climate change and how Nepal was bearing the loss and damages emanating from climate crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, he also raised the issue on how the developed countries could contribute towards minimizing the climate crisis in country like Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;We floated issues on how the scope of international cooperation for sustainable development could be enhanced and the impact of inflation in international market could be reduced on the people&#39;s lives among others in the G-20 forum,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">G-20 member nations such as China, Japan, the United States and France among others as well as international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the like had participated in the summit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the meeting of the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG), a wide range of issues such as world economy and world health, sustainable finance and infrastructure development, international financial scenario, international tax system, financial inclusion among others were discussed in various sessions, it was shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, topics relating to cooperation on management of public debt, regulation and monitoring of crypto currency transactions and optimizing technology in public infrastructures among others were also deliberated in the meeting. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18513',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Kakarvitta Transit Point Sees Encouraging Export of Cash Crops in Last FY   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Export of cash crops such as cardamom, tea leaves, ginger and amriso (broom grass) via the eastern transit point of Kakarvitta increased significantly in the last fiscal year (FY 2022-23).    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Export of cash crops such as cardamom, tea leaves, ginger and amriso (broom grass) via the eastern transit point of Kakarvitta increased significantly in the last fiscal year (FY 2022-23).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Ram Prasad Regmi, the chief customs officer at Mechi Customs Office, there has been a significant increase in the export of various cash crops to India from the eastern transit point.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The export of cardamom saw a remarkable rise of approximately 42 percent last fiscal year. Over 9.9 million kilograms of cardamom worth Rs 8.24 billion, was exported, compared to the previous year&#39;s quantity of around 5.3 million kg worth Rs 4.76 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, the export of tea leaves went up by 16 percent compared to the previous year. The exported quantity was measured over 16 million kg worth over Rs 3.42 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The export of ginger also witnessed a substantial surge of 47 percent compared to the previous year. Over 15.5 million kg of ginger worth over Rs 639.2 million was supplied to India during the review year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, there was a 27 percent rise in the export of broom grass compared to the fiscal year 2021-22. Last fiscal year, over 11.9 million kg of broom grass, worth over Rs 864 million, was exported to India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, the fiscal year 2022-23 also saw encouraging export of plywood and chhurpi, the hardened yak cheese. Plywood worth Rs 1.99 billion was exported to India, a substantial increase from the previous year&#39;s Rs 108 million. Likewise, Chhurpi worth Rs 1.10 billion was exported, compared to Rs 84.3 million in the previous year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Jhapa, Ilam, and Panchthar in Koshi Province are well-known as &#39;pocket areas&#39; for tea production, while Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Dhankuta, Tehrathum, and Bhojpur are significant producers of cardamom, ginger, broom grass, and chhurpi. These products, including plywood, undergo processing, storage, and branding in Jhapa. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 12:18:35',
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		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18512',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Waive Fee for Company Registration and Capital Increment   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The government is preparing to waive the fee for company registration and capital increment. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The government is preparing to waive the fee for company registration and capital increment. A meeting of the council of ministers on Thursday decided to amend the laws in this regard and then publish a notice about the new arrangements.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma confirmed that the cabinet meeting held at the prime minister&rsquo;s official residence in Baluwatar on Thursday morning took a decision to this effect.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The meeting also approved the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal upcoming visit to participate in the &#39;United Nations Food System, 2023 Stocktaking Moment&#39; to be organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its headquarters in Italy. The meeting decided that PM Dahal-led Nepali delegation will comprise Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Beduram Bhusal and others.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Minister Sharma shared that the government has appointed Dr Rabi Malla as the executive committee member of the Martyr Gangalal National Heart Centre. Dr Malla has been serving at the hospital as a medical person. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 11:34:42',
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			'id' => '18511',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Huge Quantity of Gold Seized from TIA',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has seized a huge quantity of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport that had passed undetected through the customs on Wednesday evening.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has seized a huge quantity of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport that had passed undetected through the customs on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Department, around 80-100 kilogrammes of the precious yellow metal was confiscated in course of a raid based on a tip off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the Department, Nabaraj Dhungana, told RSS that three persons were arrested on the charge of being involved in smuggling the gold.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It is said that the gold was brought from Hong Kong. Other details of the incident would be revealed by later today (Thursday) after further investigation, shared Dhungana. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'title' => 'Monetary Policy should Prioritize Investment in Productive Sector: MPs   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: Lawmakers have suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to bring a monetary policy for the fiscal year 2023/24 that encourages increasing investment in the productive sector.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: Lawmakers have suggested the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) to bring a monetary policy for the fiscal year 2023/24 that encourages increasing investment in the productive sector. They also stressed on creating more jobs.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Members of Parliament made such remarks at a meeting of the Finance Committee of the House of Representatives (HoR) on Thursday. The MPs argued that the monetary policy should focus on creating domestic production to make a robust national economy. Most of the committee members said that the new monetary policy should prioritize the agriculture sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">On the occasion, Former Finance Minister Bishnu Prasad Poudel asked the NRB to ponder on applying best policies that create more jobs and ensure increased productivity.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Poudel was of the view that a moderate monetary policy was needed instead of a tough or a flexible policy. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;The current situation is the result of the past. So it is necessary to review the policies of the past,&quot; he added.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, lawmaker Dr Swornim Wagle said that there wasn&rsquo;t any balance between the economic growth rate and loan investment. He added that the banks and financial institutions made their loan investment more on unproductive sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Dr Wagle stated that loan in the productive sector should be increased by tightening loans on real estate sector.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Lawmaker Gyan Bahadur Shahi claimed that the BFIs were making unfair benefits by investing loans on high interest rate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, lawmaker Bhagwati Chaudhary said that the small and medium-sized enterprises should get loan in an accessible manner and the micro-finance institutions should be regulated.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, Governor of NRB Maha Prasad Adhikari said that the new monetary policy would focus on achieving economic growth rate set by the government, inflation control and management of external sector in the economy. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'id' => '18525',
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			'title' => 'SC Seeks Written Response from Government on Constituency Development Fund   ',
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			'summary' => 'July 21: The Supreme Court has sought a written response from the government on its financial arrangement for the constituency development fund.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Supreme Court has sought a written response from the government on its financial arrangement for the constituency development fund.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A single bench of Justice Hari Prasad Phuyal issued a show cause notice to the government after conducting a preliminary hearing on a writ petition on Thursday. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Finance Minister Prakash Sharan Mahat, Office of the Prime Minister, and Finance Ministry, among others have been demanded written response on why Rs 50 million was allocated to the constituency development fund through the recent budget.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the budget speech (point no 445) announced on May 29, the government included the controversial provision of allocating Rs 50 million to a constituency. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A writ petition was filed against this arrangement, arguing that it was a wrong trend to distribute money to lawmakers at a time when the country was facing economic crisis. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'title' => 'Nepal-China sign MoU on Development and Exchange of Agricultural Technology, Skills   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday on technology development and exchange of skills in the field of agriculture.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Nepal Agricultural Research Council (NARC) and Sichuan Academy of Agricultural Sciences (SAAS) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Thursday on technology development and exchange of skills in the field of agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Executive Director of NARC Dr Dhurba Raj Bhattarai and Vice-Chairman of SAAS Dr Leo Younghang signed the MoU on technology transfer and skills exchange.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It is said that the two institutions would cooperate on technology transfer and developed in the field of agriculture.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Sharing the information about the MoU, NARC Executive Director Dr Bhattarai said that agreement has been made to collaborate on increasing quality productions as well as agriculture development.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Likewise, SAAS Vice-Chairman has pledged to provide training to Nepali researchers and technicians on high-quality agricultural technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Such training would be given to Nepali researchers on maize and sweet yam production in the near future.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A team of SAAS Vice-Chairman is currently on three-day Nepal visit. -- RSS </span></span></span></p>
',
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			'created' => '2023-07-21',
			'modified' => '2023-07-21',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '18254',
			'image' => '20230721010028_Agri.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-21 12:59:11',
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	(int) 3 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18523',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Probe Committee to Investigate Gold Smuggling Incident at TIA   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 21: The Department of Customs has formed a probe committee to investigate into the incident related to the smuggling in of around one quintal gold from TIA without checking.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 21: The Department of Customs has formed a probe committee to investigate into the incident related to the smuggling in of around one quintal gold from TIA without checking.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A six-member probe committee was formed under coordination of Man Bahadur Poudel, the director at the Investigation Section of the Department of Customs.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Information Officer of the department Punya Bikram Khadka, the investigation committee has been directed to submit its report within five days. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the department, Shova Kanta Poudel, formed the probe committee on Friday to look into the incident of how around one quintal gold was cleared from the customs undetected.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Information Officer Khadka said, &quot;The probe committee has been formed as such situation can sometimes arise due to technical error even when the department&rsquo;s staff carry out necessary checking.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The Department of Revenue Investigation had seized around 100 kilogrammes of gold from Sinamangal on Wednesday on a special tip-off. A total of six persons have been arrested in this connection so far.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the Department of Revenue Investigation, Nawaraj Dhungana, said the seized yellow metal has been sent to Nepal Rastra Bank through the Department of Customs for its safe-keeping.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">---&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'sortorder' => '18253',
			'image' => '20230721113507_goldee.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-21 11:34:28',
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	(int) 4 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18522',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Mandatory Labeling Provision for Import Items Courts Controversy',
			'sub_title' => 'Import of Medicines Halted due to the New Provision of Labeling',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Even though the government has made it mandatory for labeling imported goods with clear details of the importer and distributor since July 17,',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Even though the government has made it mandatory for labeling imported goods with clear details of the importer and distributor since July </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">7, the importers complain that the authorities are indifferent towards solving the unreasonable difficulties caused by this new provision. Import of medicine has been stopped for three days due to conflicting legal arrangements of government agencies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Prakash Khandelwal, senior vice president of Nepal Drug Practitioners Association, the importers have stopped the importing drugs after the Department of Customs instructed them to label only the label, but the Drug Administration Department said that no details can be mentioned on the packaging of the drugs without approval.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">As a result, the importers has not yet received the medicines that have arrived at the border. Senior Vice President Khandelwal also warned that if the problem is not resolved soon, there may be shortage of medicines. Even now, about </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">50</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"> percent of medicine supplies depend on imports, say businessmen.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;The customs clearance of drugs has not been possible since July </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">1</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">7</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">. </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The customs officials cite one rule while the DDA says no content can be added to the packaging. In such a situation, there is no option but to stop the import,&#39;&#39; said Khandelwal, who is also a medicine importer.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Chief Customs Administrator of Birganj Customs, Dilaram Panthi, admitted that the businessmen were confused due to the contradictions in the rules between the government agencies.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;There is no need to put a label when passing the customs inspection. The label should be kept at the time of distribution. There is no obstacle in clearing the customs check. The businessmen must have been talking about the difficulties caused by the rules of the drug administration department,&rdquo; said Customs Administrator Panthi.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government, through the Finance Bill </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">2080</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">, has made arrangement for labeling the imported goods before sending them to the market.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The labels should include the details of the importer and the distributor. The Department of Customs has said that if goods are found to be sold without labels, such goods will be confiscated. The department had sent information about this to the importers last month.&nbsp; </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The importers complain that the government implemented this system in a very short time. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;We had informed all agencies concerned about the problems that may arise in the import of medicines due to this system. Instead of a solution, they issued us a warning that they would confiscate the medicines. How can medicines be imported in such a situation?&rdquo; questioned Khandelwal. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government claims that the labeling system will be effective in controlling the import of low-quality goods and preventing illegal imports. However, Hari Gautam, senior vice president of Birgunj Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says that this arrangement could be just another pretext of collecting unauthorized money by extorting the businessmen.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'modified' => '2023-07-21',
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			'description' => '',
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			'article_date' => '2023-07-21 10:57:02',
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	(int) 5 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18521',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Finance Ministry Issues 81-point Guideline for Budget Implementation',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'The Finance Ministry has issued an 81-point guideline for the effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2080/081 BS. The guidelines focus on maximizing resource utilization, being economical on expenses, and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Fiscal discipline is also emphasized.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 21: The Finance Ministry has issued an 81-point guideline for the effective implementation of the budget for the fiscal year 2080/081 BS.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The guidelines focus on maximizing resource utilization, being economical on expenses, and ensuring effectiveness and efficiency. Fiscal discipline is also emphasized.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Government institutions are directed to complete preparatory jobs for the implementation of annual plans and programs. T</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">hey must formulate new procedures, directives, and standards within a month if they were to seek an approval from the Ministry. Approved procedures should be updated on the agencies&#39; websites within a week.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Tenders should be called within the first three months of the fiscal year, and the contract agreement should be completed by mid-November, with work commencing within 15 days.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects failing to carry out the contract agreement within nine months after resource assurance may face automatic scrapping.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects that haven&#39;t gone into bidding after nine months of the agreement and haven&#39;t been proposed for appropriations in the current fiscal year budget may also have their source agreements scrapped.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The implementation of certain programs is recommended to be carried out by thematic committees, and &#39;reward&#39; and &#39;punishment&#39; culture in the construction business is encouraged.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Projects worth over Rs 100 million are recommended for undergoing construction quality tests by the National Vigilance Centre.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Payments are suggested to be made based on physical progress and project quality. Certain conditions are set for quarterly budget releases.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Environment impact assessment and preliminary environment tests should be carried out within fixed timeframes to facilitate project implementation.&nbsp;</span></span><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Multi-year contracted projects should be implemented from the allocated budget itself.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Organization and management surveys should be conducted before mid-December to improve the existing organization of public administration.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Budget implementers are asked to maintain utmost frugality in administrative expenses, including allowance, training, seminar, service fee, visit, stationery, maintenance, fuel, electricity tariff, and rent. (RSS)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'sortorder' => '18251',
			'image' => '20230721055703_collage (10).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-21 05:54:16',
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	(int) 6 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18520',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Only 11 Out of 17 Development Banks Earn Profit in FY 2022/2023',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'During the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2022/2023, out of the 17 development banks operating in Nepal, only 11 of them were able to generate profits, while the remaining 6 banks faced losses.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 20: During the first eleven months of the fiscal year 2022/2023, out of the 17 development banks operating in Nepal, only 11 of them were able to generate profits, while the remaining 6 banks faced losses.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to data released by the Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB), the 11 profitable development banks collectively earned a total profit of Rs 5.10 billion in the first 11 months of the last fiscal year.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Muktinath Development Bank emerged as the top performer, making profit of Rs 1.9 billion within the 11-month period. Similarly, Garima Development Bank also performed well, earning a net profit of Rs 82 crores.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">On the other hand, Green Development Bank witnessed the lowest profit of Rs 4.9 million during the review period.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In contrast, Karnali Development Bank, Sindhu Bikash Bank, Narayani Development Bank, Excel Development Bank, and Saptakoshi Development Bank faced losses during the same period. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Among these, Saptakoshi Development Bank incurred the highest loss, exceeding Rs 28 crores.</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
			'published' => true,
			'created' => '2023-07-20',
			'modified' => '2023-07-20',
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			'description' => '',
			'sortorder' => '18250',
			'image' => '20230720055606_collage (16).jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 17:54:09',
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	(int) 7 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18519',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'NRB to Issue Monetary Policy Next Week: Central Bank Governor Adhikari',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'The Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari today said the Monetary Policy for Fiscal Year, 2023/24 will be issued in line with the budget policy.',
			'content' => '<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">July 20: The Nepal Rastra Bank Governor Maha Prasad Adhikari today said the Monetary Policy for Fiscal Year, 2023/24 will&nbsp;be issued in line with the budget policy.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Preparations are underway to bring the monetary policy the next week, he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary policy would focus on achieving the economic growth as per the budget target, controlling inflation and managing external sector, he said while attending the meeting of the Finance Committee under the Federal Parliament&#39;s House of Representatives. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Although there are some positive economic indicators like the balanced external sector, decreasing interest rates and adequacy of liquidity, some problems like inflation, deficit reserve fund and sluggish credit expansion still persist, he said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;The permissible limit of inflation for the previous FY was seven percent, and it remains above that this FY. The reserve fund is in deficit of Rs 193 billion. The credit expansion has decreased despite good deposit collection,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The external sector seems easing&nbsp;as compared to the previous year, he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Now, there is liquidity worth Rs 88.5 billion in the banking system. The current accounts suffer a deficit of Rs 70 billion, and there were difficulties to recover loans due to the market slowdown,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Until June 15, 2023, the total 147,510 people took concessional loans, he said. The Central Bank would take an appropriate decision in finding ways to balance the country&#39;s economy, he added. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&quot;Today&#39;s problems are a slowdown in real estate, and failure to collect revenues and achieve capital expenditure as per target&quot;.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The monetary policy does not have all instruments to resolve problems. We will use whatever instruments we have,&quot; he said. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">According to the Nepal Rastra Bank, the interest and base rates of loans and deposits are decreasing, and the CD ratio has dropped to 82 percent. </span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The government has set a target of keeping inflation within the permissible limit of 6.50 percent in the current FY, and the monetary instruments would be mobilised accordingly, it said.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Finance Secretary Arjun Kumar Pokharel viewed that there should be synchronization between the fiscal policy and monetary policy.</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">&nbsp;Similarly, achieving the economic growth and keeping inflation under control should be the first priority of the monetary policy, Pokharel said.&nbsp;</span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:20px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">He added that monetray policy should also&nbsp; accord priorities in implementing the government&#39;s policies and programmes by&nbsp;increasing loans in the productive sector and domestic productions, Pokhrael said. ---(RSS)</span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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			'created' => '2023-07-20',
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	(int) 8 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18516',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'E-Procurement System Directive 2080 Poses Existential Crisis to Communications and Media Industry',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The 'Electricity Procurement System Directive 2080' issued by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office poses existential crisis to the country's communication and media industry.',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The &#39;Electricity Procurement System Directive </span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">2080</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&#39; issued by the Public Procurement Monitoring Office poses existential crisis to the country&#39;s communication and media industry.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The stakeholders have requested the government to amend the provisions in the new directive that allows publishing information related to public procurement only on the website of the government body concerned.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Nepal Media Society, Media Alliance Nepal and Nepal Advertising Association issued a joint statement on Wednesday and expressed their objection to the provisions in the directive.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement signed by Nepal Media Society President Shuba Shankar Kandel, Media Alliance Nepal President Bhashkar Raj Rajakarnikar and Nepal Advertising Association President Som Prasad Dhital states that the new directive is against the information rights of the citizens and consumers.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;</span></span><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">When the information system is weak and there is no access to e-mail and internet across the country, an attempt has been made to create a syndicate between the bureaucracy and the contractor by keeping public procurement notices only on the website of the Public Procurement Monitoring Office Kathmandu and imposing a ban on the practice of publishing them in national-level daily newspapers in accordance with the prevailing law,&quot; the statement said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement accused the government of undermining the democratic values by not discussing such vital issues with the relevant parties while amending the existing laws in order to support the vested interests of certain firms and individuals.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;How can ordinary citizens living in seven provinces of Nepal have access to information and information related to public construction and procurement, letters of intent, bids, tenders that are directly related to the people by keeping them only on the website of a government office? How is the basic right to information provided by the Constitution of Nepal guaranteed to the citizens?&rdquo; questioned the statement.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Stakeholders have urged the government to reconsider the far-reaching impacts of the decision taken in a hasty, immature and impractical manner on the delivery of public services provided by government agencies. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement also mentions that criminal activities such as making the information posted on the website unable to view for a short or long time, and changing the information once posted at any time later are likely to happen when the new rule comes into force.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Even if the ability to investigate such crimes exists, the negative impact of such criminal acts has far-fetching consequences, warned the stakeholders. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&ldquo;In a country where the computer literacy rate is very low and access to the Internet is also low, we condemn the conspiracy to benefit a certain organization by putting information related to public construction and procurement, letters of intent, bids, and tenders that are directly related to the public only on the website of an office,&#39;&#39; the statement said.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The joint statement further mentions that this step of the government has seriously affected the entire communication industry, hardworking journalists and advertising businessmen who are directly and indirectly involved in upholding the right to information of the common citizens.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The three organisations have requested the government to immediately correct the flawed decision as it affects the livelihood of countless people. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">All organizations related to the communication and media sector have warned of serious protest if their request falls on deaf ears.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The statement also mentions that the government should take responsibility for the situation arising from this move.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
',
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	(int) 9 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18515',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Industries Registered with FDI Increase in Volume but Decline in Terms of Commitment Amount',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Foreign investment commitments: Number of industry registrations increased, commitment amount decreased',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Foreign investment commitments: Number of industry registrations increased, commitment amount decreased</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The commitment made by foreign investors to invest in Nepal has decreased in the last fiscal year compared to the previous FY. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Despite a considerable number of foreign investors registering industry and getting approval of investment commitment from the Department of Industry in the last fiscal year, the amount of investment has decreased compared to the previous fiscal year.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Although the commitment amount has decreased, the number of registered industries is relatively high. According to the annual progress report published by the Department of Industry, the investment commitment amount has decreased by Rs 15.75 billion. The number of industries registered during this period has increased. Last year, 327 foreign investment industries were registered. In the previous year FY 2021/22), the number of industries with foreign investment registered in Nepal was 295.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the department, foreign investors had committed to invest Rs 38.40 billion while registering those 327 industries. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">When these industries come into operation, around 17,012 people will get employment opportunities in the country. Last year, foreign investors had made investment commitment of Rs 54.15 billion while registering 295 industries. The proposed employment was 16,905.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Foreign investors seem to be more enthusiastic about investing in small scale industries. This process was repeated last year as well. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Out of the total 327 industries registered last year, the number of small scale industries stood at 297. In the previous year, 217 small industries were registered among 295 industries. </span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">An official of the department said that the number of industries registered has increased due to the minimum threshold set by the government for foreign investment. According to him, the investment amount is low.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The government has been revising this threshold time and again. As a result, the data of the department shows that foreign investors are more focused on getting the project approved within the threshold. The government last year reduced the foreign investment threshold to Rs 20 million. Four years ago, the government had set such a limit at Rs 50 million. Before that, the minimum limit for foreign investment was Rs 5 million.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Looking at the statistics of the Department of Industry, it seems that foreign investors propose and approve investment projects within this limit. Last year, 25 medium-scale industries and 5 large-scale industries were registered.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Foreign investors seem to be more interested in the tourism sector. The data of the department shows that more investment commitments were made in the same sector last year. According to the data, 34.41 percent of the industries registered with foreign investment were related to the tourism sector.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:12pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Times New Roman&quot;,&quot;serif&quot;"><span style="font-size:15.0pt"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">After the tourism sector, the foreign investors are attracted towards the service sector. In the third place, foreign investments were made in the manufacturing industries. Altogether 16.5 percent of such industries were registered in the ICT segment and 1 percent in energy and agriculture sectors.</span></span></span></span></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
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	(int) 10 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18518',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'DRI Busts Gold Smuggling Group, Arrests Six People   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has busted a group of smugglers involved in a recent gold smuggling case. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has busted a group of smugglers involved in a recent gold smuggling case. The police have so far arrested six people for their alleged involvement in smuggling around 100 kilograms of the previous yellow metal via the Tribhuvan International Airport.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Director-General of the Department, Nawaraj Dhungana, search for others involved in the gold smuggling is currently underway. The identities of those arrested have not been disclosed yet.&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">A special team of the department on Wednesday had seized a huge amount of gold in front of the Tribhuvan international Airport Customs Office while it was being transported through the customs pass in a taxi. The department had immediately arrested two persons along with the gold in front of the TIA Customs Office gate.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Dhungana further shared the team arrested additional four individuals involved in the scam on Thursday morning. It is said that the gold was brought from Hong Kong.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">This is so far the first incident where such a big quantity of gold was seized in Nepal. &quot;Details are yet to be revealed. A manhunt has been launched to arrest those who are on the run,&quot; he said. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 11 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18514',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Problems Faced by Underdeveloped Countries Raised in G-20 FMCBG Meeting: FM Mahat   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has returned home after attending the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors meeting held in Gujarat, India.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Finance Minister Dr Prakash Sharan Mahat has returned home after attending the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Banks Governors meeting held in Gujarat, India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Talking to media persons upon his arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport on Wednesday, Finance Minister Mahat said the meeting was significant to inform the international community about different types of problems and challenges the underdeveloped and developing countries were facing.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&nbsp;&quot;It was significant opportunity to mention problems of the underdeveloped countries in the meeting. Issues including problems of climate change faced by the underdeveloped countries, global challenges surfaced with the use of information technology, management of digital transaction were raised,&quot; he explained.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The finance minister further said that it was an opportunity to put forth Nepal&rsquo;s views on how the digital transaction and its tax related issues could be managed.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The G-20 countries also showed interest on the issues of low economic growth rate and decreasing loan flow seen across the globe, he shared. Minister Mahat viewed that significant meetings were held with development partners and donor agencies during his India visit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">He shared, &quot;We held discussions with donor agencies such as World Bank, Asian Development Bank, among others. We also held bilateral meetings with the finance ministers of India and China and discussed bilateral investment and trade. There was an eventful meeting with India&#39;s private sector entrepreneurs regarding investment in Nepal.&quot;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">During the third G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting, Minister Mahat said that he had briefed the international community about the climate change and how Nepal was bearing the loss and damages emanating from climate crisis.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, he also raised the issue on how the developed countries could contribute towards minimizing the climate crisis in country like Nepal. </span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">&quot;We floated issues on how the scope of international cooperation for sustainable development could be enhanced and the impact of inflation in international market could be reduced on the people&#39;s lives among others in the G-20 forum,&quot; he said.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">G-20 member nations such as China, Japan, the United States and France among others as well as international organizations such as the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the like had participated in the summit.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">In the meeting of the G-20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG), a wide range of issues such as world economy and world health, sustainable finance and infrastructure development, international financial scenario, international tax system, financial inclusion among others were discussed in various sessions, it was shared.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, topics relating to cooperation on management of public debt, regulation and monitoring of crypto currency transactions and optimizing technology in public infrastructures among others were also deliberated in the meeting. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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	(int) 12 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18513',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Kakarvitta Transit Point Sees Encouraging Export of Cash Crops in Last FY   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: Export of cash crops such as cardamom, tea leaves, ginger and amriso (broom grass) via the eastern transit point of Kakarvitta increased significantly in the last fiscal year (FY 2022-23).    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: Export of cash crops such as cardamom, tea leaves, ginger and amriso (broom grass) via the eastern transit point of Kakarvitta increased significantly in the last fiscal year (FY 2022-23).&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to Ram Prasad Regmi, the chief customs officer at Mechi Customs Office, there has been a significant increase in the export of various cash crops to India from the eastern transit point.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The export of cardamom saw a remarkable rise of approximately 42 percent last fiscal year. Over 9.9 million kilograms of cardamom worth Rs 8.24 billion, was exported, compared to the previous year&#39;s quantity of around 5.3 million kg worth Rs 4.76 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, the export of tea leaves went up by 16 percent compared to the previous year. The exported quantity was measured over 16 million kg worth over Rs 3.42 billion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The export of ginger also witnessed a substantial surge of 47 percent compared to the previous year. Over 15.5 million kg of ginger worth over Rs 639.2 million was supplied to India during the review year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Similarly, there was a 27 percent rise in the export of broom grass compared to the fiscal year 2021-22. Last fiscal year, over 11.9 million kg of broom grass, worth over Rs 864 million, was exported to India.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Furthermore, the fiscal year 2022-23 also saw encouraging export of plywood and chhurpi, the hardened yak cheese. Plywood worth Rs 1.99 billion was exported to India, a substantial increase from the previous year&#39;s Rs 108 million. Likewise, Chhurpi worth Rs 1.10 billion was exported, compared to Rs 84.3 million in the previous year.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Jhapa, Ilam, and Panchthar in Koshi Province are well-known as &#39;pocket areas&#39; for tea production, while Ilam, Panchthar, Taplejung, Dhankuta, Tehrathum, and Bhojpur are significant producers of cardamom, ginger, broom grass, and chhurpi. These products, including plywood, undergo processing, storage, and branding in Jhapa. -- RSS</span></span></span></p>
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			'image' => '20230720121937_BlackCardamom.jpg',
			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 12:18:35',
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	(int) 13 => array(
		'Article' => array(
			'id' => '18512',
			'article_category_id' => '1',
			'title' => 'Government to Waive Fee for Company Registration and Capital Increment   ',
			'sub_title' => '',
			'summary' => 'July 20: The government is preparing to waive the fee for company registration and capital increment. ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The government is preparing to waive the fee for company registration and capital increment. A meeting of the council of ministers on Thursday decided to amend the laws in this regard and then publish a notice about the new arrangements.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Government Spokesperson and Minister for Communications and Information Technology, Rekha Sharma confirmed that the cabinet meeting held at the prime minister&rsquo;s official residence in Baluwatar on Thursday morning took a decision to this effect.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">The meeting also approved the Prime Minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal upcoming visit to participate in the &#39;United Nations Food System, 2023 Stocktaking Moment&#39; to be organized by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its headquarters in Italy. The meeting decided that PM Dahal-led Nepali delegation will comprise Minister for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Beduram Bhusal and others.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Minister Sharma shared that the government has appointed Dr Rabi Malla as the executive committee member of the Martyr Gangalal National Heart Centre. Dr Malla has been serving at the hospital as a medical person. -- RSS&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 11:34:42',
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			'id' => '18511',
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			'title' => 'Huge Quantity of Gold Seized from TIA',
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			'summary' => 'July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has seized a huge quantity of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport that had passed undetected through the customs on Wednesday evening.    ',
			'content' => '<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">July 20: The Department of Revenue Investigation has seized a huge quantity of gold from Tribhuvan International Airport that had passed undetected through the customs on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">According to the Department, around 80-100 kilogrammes of the precious yellow metal was confiscated in course of a raid based on a tip off.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><br />
<span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">Director General of the Department, Nabaraj Dhungana, told RSS that three persons were arrested on the charge of being involved in smuggling the gold.</span></span></span></p>

<p><span style="font-size:18px"><span style="font-family:Calibri,&quot;sans-serif&quot;"><span style="font-family:&quot;Arial Unicode MS&quot;,&quot;sans-serif&quot;">It is said that the gold was brought from Hong Kong. Other details of the incident would be revealed by later today (Thursday) after further investigation, shared Dhungana. -- RSS&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></span></span></p>
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			'article_date' => '2023-07-20 11:08:38',
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FOREX

Currency	Unit	Buy	Sell
U.S. Dollar	1	121.23	121.83
European Euro	1	131.65	132.31
UK Pound Sterling	1	142.47	143.18
Swiss Franc	1	124.29	124.90
Australian Dollar	1	71.69	72.05
Canadian Dollar	1	83.90	84.32
Japanese Yen	10	10.94	11.00
Chinese Yuan	1	17.17	17.26
Saudi Arabian Riyal	1	32.27	32.43
UAE Dirham	1	33.01	33.17
Malaysian Ringgit	1	27.36	27.50
South Korean Won	100	9.77	9.82

Update: 2020-03-25 | Source: Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB)

Bullion

Fine Gold	1 tola	77000.00
Tejabi Gold	1 tola	76700.00
Silver	1 tola	720.00

Update : 2020-03-25

Source: Federation of Nepal Gold and Silver Dealers' Association

Petroleum

Petrol	1 Liter	106.00
Diesel	1 Liter	95.00
Kerosene	1 Liter	95.00
LP Gas	1 Cylinder	1375.00